Tim Paine and Co have strengthened their grip over the Australia vs New Zealand 2nd Test in Melbourne and are looking well in placed to clinch the clash. At stumps on Day 1, the Kiwis were tottering at 44/2 in reply of the Aussies first-innings total of 467 runs. Travis Head (114) was the host’s stand out performer with the bat and scored his second Test century and guided Australia to a mammoth score. Apart from him, skipper Tim Paine (79) also registered a significant score after a long time. Meanwhile, you can scroll down to get the live scorecard and ball to ball update of Day 3 of AUS vs NZ match. Australia Vs New Zealand, Cricket Score 2nd Test Match

Earlier in the day, the Aussies came out to bat at their overnight score of 257/4. Steve Smith felt 15 runs short of his ton but the lower order batsmen made up for him and put the hosts on the driver’s seat. In reply, when the Kiwis came out to bat, they lost Tom Blundell and Kane Williamson early and are on the back foot. For Australia, James Pattinson and Pat Cummins got one wicket apiece and will eye to add many more wickets to their tally. Australia Vs New Zealand, Cricket Score 2nd Test, Latest Scorecard.  

The upcoming day of the match could well decide the fate of the encounter and the Kiwis require to put on an extraordinary display of batting in order to make any sort of comeback in the match. Ross Taylor and Tom Latham are the two batsman present on the crease and their side will certainly bank on them. However, the likes of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and James Pattinson will possess a huge challenge in front of them.

Playing XI:

Australia: David Warner, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, Travis Head, Tim Paine (c & wk), James Pattinson, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon

New Zealand: Tom Latham, Tom Blundell, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, BJ Watling (wk), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 28, 2019 01:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).